The Black Echo: Harry Bosch Series, Book 1

For LAPD homicide cop Harry Bosch - hero, maverick, nighthawk - the body in the drainpipe at Mulholland Dam is more than another anonymous statistic. This one is personal. The dead man, Billy Meadows, was a fellow Vietnam "tunnel rat" who fought side by side with him in a nightmare underground war that brought them to the depths of hell.

Swarm: Star Force, Book 1

Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.

Blood Work

Thanks to a heart transplant, former FBI agent Terrell McCaleb is enjoying a quiet retirement, renovating the fishing boat he lives on in Los Angeles Harbor. But McCaleb's calm seas turn choppy when a story in the "What Happened To?" column of the
LA Times brings him face-to-face with the sister of the woman whose heart now beats in his chest.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers

In this first in a series of wickedly funny mysteries, best-selling author Lawrence Block introduces Bernie Rhodenbarr, sometimes burglar, sometimes sleuth. Pulling only an occasional, very discreet job, Bernie manages to maintain his comfortable New York City apartment and keep his unorthodox vocation a closely-guarded secret. Every burglar knows never to trust anonymous phone calls. But when the caller offers easy money for an hour's work, Bernie can't ignore the job.

The Neon Rain

Dave Robicheaux has been warned that he's on somebody's hit list, and now the homicide detective is trying to discover just who that is before he ends up dead. Meanwhile he has taken on the murder investigation of a young black girl found dead in the Bayou swamp. Robicheaux uncovers a web of corruption that leads him to a terrifying confrontation with the one horror he fears most of all.

Killshot

Ironworker Wayne Colson and his spirited wife Carmen are witnesses to a shakedown scam - witnesses who must be eliminated. Enter Armand Degas, aka Blackbird, the brains of the operation, and his partner Richie Nix, an ex-con whose highest goal is to rob a bank in every state. A lively chase ensues when the Colsons enter the Federal Witness Security Program with two bumbling but determined killers on their trail.

Barbara says:"Heart attack stuff"

Publisher's Summary

The hooker was young, pretty...and dead, butchered in a Greenwich Village apartment. The prime suspect, a minister's son, was also dead, the victim of a jailhouse suicide. The case is closed, as far as the NYPD is concerned. Now the murdered prostitute's father wants it opened again--that's where Matthew Scudder comes in. But this assignment carries the unmistakable stench of sleaze and perversion, luring Scudder into a sordid world of phony religion and murderous lust where children must die for their parents' most unspeakable sins.

I would recommend this book to my friends who enjoy mystery series. And, after reading it, I'll seek out more volumes in this series for myself.

What does Alan Sklar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good differentiation among voices without over-acting; a good portrayal of the meaning of words, phrases, and entire conversations.

Could you see The Sins of the Fathers being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Perhaps a TV movie -- action could fit into a 90 minute window (plus commercials = 2 hours). The plot is straightforward enough to survive its necessary shortening to make the screen play. Good actors would convey the personalities and relationships among main characters effectively and efficiently, without relying on words alone.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

LOUIS FAIR, JR.

11/06/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"A listen you won't want to stop until the climax,"

Where does The Sins of the Fathers rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Certainly in the top 15.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt, because he somehow manages to stick with the initial goal and stay in character.

What about Alan Sklar???s performance did you like?

Very good but not at the top, but I would listen to something else by him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

N/A

Any additional comments?

I would not hesitate to recommend this audible to others.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

joan

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY, United States

14/05/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good Pulpish reading"

About halfway through I know "who did it" but it was enjoyable anyway. Pulp to its utmost (I love pulp) a great hard-boiled detective story. But Matthew Scudder isn't all loveable, just fun to read about.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Shawn

Carrollton, TX, United States

16/11/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Very good Detective Book"

I would recommend this to those enjoy the Detective type of books.I was engaged but miss the "Blood Lust" for the good Thrillers and Covert Spec Ops.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Dj Marshall

RICHMOND, VA, US

13/05/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Very Done"

I really enjoyed this story. I've listened to it twice. The narrator has a beautiful deep voice, very nice to listen to him speak. Thank you

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Leatha Arnold Archer

Pleasant Gap, Pa 16823

04/09/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"block, one of the best, does ot disappoint"

so good I could not stop listening. this is my first Scudder boo. will be looking for mote.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Emily Buck

14/06/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Pretty Terrible."

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A better story-line, or having any idea where Matt Scudder came up with his theories. Believable and consistent characters would have also been a plus.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Man Called Ove by Frederk Backman

What didn’t you like about Alan Sklar’s performance?

Overdramatic bordering on ridiculous.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I listened to it because other reviewers said that while it wasn't a great start to the Matt Scudder series, it was worth it if you want to know the back story to Scudder. I would disagree -- listening to this made me uninterested in reading further books. Maybe start later in the series and if you enjoy it you can come back to this one.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Justin D.

Under the Milky Way

12/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"The start of a well respected detective series."

Would you listen to The Sins of the Fathers again? Why?

Maybe. While the book shows growing pains for the still developing Scudder character, it's the performance that really stood out. As far as the story goes, it's...fine.

Have you listened to any of Alan Sklar’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to the first three in the Scudder series and the narrator is fantastic. In the fourth book they switched to another narrator who isn't nearly as good. It's a shame. Sklar really nails Scudder's inner voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a conversation Scudder has towards the end of the book that is incredible. It would make for a great film scene. Shame none of the movies are very good.

Any additional comments?

This book is for completionists like myself. I've heard it's actually better to skip the first two books in the series, but I couldn't do that. Personally I found it to be a good listen. Just don't expect the fireworks the later books in the series apparently have.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

BDHumbert

Fort Pierce, FL, United States

11/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Big fan"

Of Mathew Scudder. This is my favorite - but they are all very good. Generally prefer the drinking Scudder. Mr Sklar has the "voice" just right and does a great job conveying both the text and the tone of the story as it evolves

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Laurel

26/01/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great listen"

Great story. Great pacing by the narrator. Good book for commuting or just general listening. Downloading next in series immediately.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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